Under-floor storage
An under-floor storage system provides extra storage space, and is intended for use in locations where tile floors are normally used, such as in kitchens and in bathrooms. The storage system provides for tiles that are the lids of sub-floor storage containers. In one embodiment, the removed tile lid provides access to the storage compartment. In another embodiment, the lid and the storage compartment are integral in normal configuration, but can be separated once removed from the floor.
This invention relates to storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPeople always need more storage. Bathrooms and kitchens are two places where this need is especially great. In such places, people usually use cupboards and storage cabinets. Another, less intrusive kind of storage is needed to replace or supplement storage using cupboards and cabinets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention is an under-floor storage system where people store items under the floor in boxes that have floor tiles for lids. The storage is under the floor and easy to access but out of the way. Because the lid is or has a floor tile, the additional storage is not unsightly. The floor tile on the lid is at the same level as other floor tiles in the room. The invention is taught below by way of various specific exemplary embodiments explained in detail, and illustrated in the enclosed drawing figures.
The drawing figures depict, in simplified form, embodiments reflecting the principles of the invention. Many items and details that will be readily understood by one familiar with this field have been omitted so as to avoid obscuring the invention. In the drawings:
The invention will now be taught using various exemplary embodiments. Although the embodiments are described in detail, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to just these embodiments, and so the appended claims should be consulted to determine the true scope of the invention.
Referring now to
Under-floor support members 200 may be wooden beams, joists, or the like. In many types of construction, such support members are typically provided running along only one direction. This arrangement is sufficient to implement the invention in its various embodiments, but providing support members in two orthogonal directions can advantageously provide stability and support beyond that afforded by support members running in only one direction. For the sake of simplicity and ease of understanding, the under-floor support members 200 are always shown as having members in two orthogonal directions.
The storage compartment 300 may advantageously be made of lightweight plastic, but the materials used may be selected based on sound engineering principles to suit the particulars of any situation. For example, if the storage compartment 300 will have to support weight, then a person familiar with this field will be able to select a suitable material with an appropriate thickness.
The compartment lid 400 looks like a tile floor on the top, or several floor tiles, but conceals the storage compartment 300. The floor tile on top of compartment lid 400 is at the same level as any other tiles of the floor into which it is installed. Also, the vertical and horizontal lines of the tiles should be in substantial harmony with the vertical and horizontal lines of the remainder of the tile floor so that the existence of the under-floor storage is somewhat obscured.
Turning now to
In the embodiment shown in
In such an embodiment, some manner of removing the compartment lid 400 is necessary. One approach, not shown, is to provide a recess in the top of the compartment lid 400 wherein a finger or some lifting device may be inserted. This approach has the disadvantage of looking different from other parts of the floor that have tiles without such recesses.
Another approach to remove the compartment lid 400 in this embodiment is to use a suction device, such as a suction cup on a handle, to lift the lid. This kind of system avoids the need for a recess, but restricts the upper surface of the compartment lid 400 to a relatively smooth surface. Since the intended use for the invention, in many instances, is to provide under-floor storage units in a kitchen or bathroom, where the under-floor storage units can be concealed by being made to appear as tiles, the restriction to a smooth surface on top is not a great disadvantage.
Yet another approach to removing the compartment lid 400 is shown in
In
In
To insert the key-shaped protrusion 307 into the key-accepting recess 407, the compartment lid 400 is rotated with respect to storage compartment 300, as shown in
After key-shaped protrusion 307 is fitted into key-accepting recess 407 and has been allowed to slide upward within compartment lid 400, then compartment lid 400 is rotated with respect to storage compartment 300. Certain projecting portions of key-shaped protrusion 307 thereafter prevent key-shaped protrusion 307 from exiting key-accepting recess 407, as shown in
Turning now to
In embodiments described above, the lip 310 extended away from storage compartment 300 to a point that was coextensive with the end of compartment lid 400. In
In
In the embodiment shown in
The embodiments above are all based on the idea that the storage compartment 300 should be as large as possible and therefore lip 310 was provided so that the lip 310 could rest on the under-floor support members 200 or under-floor leveling member 205. In
The storage compartment 300 thus is attached to underside 450 of compartment lid 400.
Many variations to the above-identified embodiments are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Possible variations have been presented throughout the foregoing discussion.
Combinations and subcombinations of the various embodiments described above will occur to those familiar with this field, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A tile floor that has an under-floor storage unit, intended for use in a bathroom or kitchen of a residence, comprising:
- a tile floor supported by one or more under-floor support members;
- an under-floor storage unit with a storage compartment and a compartment lid, supported by one or more of the under-floor support members; wherein: the compartment lid includes one or more floor tiles on top; the under-floor storage unit has a lip resting above an under-floor support member, and has, at an outer periphery of the lip, a trough for catching liquids; the storage compartment has walls and a floor; and the one or more floor tiles on top of the compartment lid are at a level of other tiles of the tile floor;
- whereby the under-floor storage unit provides for storage of items, below the level of the tiles of the tile floor, in the storage compartment.
2. The tile floor as set forth in claim 1, wherein, in the under-floor storage unit, the storage compartment and the compartment lid are attached to each other when the under-floor storage unit is positioned in the floor.
3. The tile floor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the underside of the compartment lid has an engaging protrusion that snugly engages the interior of the storage compartment.
4. The tile floor as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the compartment lid has an embedded metal plate, and the metal plate is made of material that can be attracted by a magnet.
5. The tile floor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the compartment lid includes a recess adapted to permit raising of the compartment lid.
6. The tile floor as set forth in claim 1, wherein the under-floor support members are wooden joists.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jan 4, 2008
Date of Patent: Jun 1, 2010
Patent Publication Number: 20080100080
Inventor: Rebecca Lynne Hyndman (Potomac Falls, VA)
Primary Examiner: Richard E Chilcot, Jr.
Assistant Examiner: Chi Q Nguyen
Application Number: 11/969,871
International Classification: E04C 2/52 (20060101);